Per*tus*sis

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Also known as whooping cough, a highly-contagious and dangerous bacterial disease!

Pertussis, known by the common name of whooping cough, is a seriously dangerous childhood disease. Mirroring the common cold at first, with nasal congestion, runny nose, red-watery eyes, sneezing, mild fever, and dry cough, it then develops over the course of as many as 12 weeks into severe and constant coughing. The “whooping” sound is a torturous result of coughing fits in which the child cannot get a breath. Finally, in an all-out struggle, a desperate breath is inhaled, characterized by the high-pitched “whooping” sound. This sound is agonizing not only for the patient because he is struggling to breathe, but is agonizing also for parents, other family members, and health-care professionals who are witnesses to this intense struggle. The intensity of the coughing can be so severe that cracked ribs or abdominal hernias can result.

Pertussis is highly contagious and is spread by bacteria being sneezed or coughed into the air within tiny droplets which are then inhaled by others. Once inside the lungs the bacteria multiply and restrict the airways causing the patient to gasp for air. As if this were not enough, thick mucus accumulates in the lungs and further reduces the body’s germ-fighting ability.

“The best prevention of pertussis is routine vaccinations on time,” says Dr. James J. Logan, of Pediatric Pulmonology of Central Georgia in Macon. “When the symptoms are well-established, antibiotics do not help the patient much, except in killing the bacteria which renders the patient non-contagious,” he adds.

Infants and toddlers are the most at risk because they have not been fully immunized. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC) 63% of babies under the age of 12 months who contract pertussis end up in the hospital. The death rate for infants under the age of 4 months who have pertussis-related complications is 92%.

Five separate doses of the pertussis vaccine, otherwise known as DTaP, (diptheria, tetanus, pertussis) should be administered to children at the following intervals:

Two months old

Four months old

Six months old

15-18 months old

4-6 years old

Dr. James J. Logan cautions, “Because the ability to have protective antibodies wanes with time, all young adults should get re-vaccinated,” Dr. Kathryn Page, of First Choice Primary Care agrees, “It is real important for all children, teenagers, and adults to be vaccinated against pertussis to prevent the spread of the disease to young infants who have not been fully immunized.”

The CDC recommends one dose of the DTaP vaccine, (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) for older children and adults. It should be administered as follows:

Seven-10 years old

{For children who are not fully vaccinated}

11-18 years old

{For children who are being re-vaccinated, preferably at age 11 or 12}

19-64 years old

{For any adult who has never had a DTaP, which can replace the 10 yr. tetanus booster}

65+ years old

{For any adult who has never had a DTaP}

Pregnant women

{For women who have not yet been discharged from the hospital, in the immediate postpartum period}

It should be noted that some parents voluntarily choose not to have their children vaccinated for pertussis. With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Physicians all recommending the pertussis vaccine, it is hard to understand this way of thinking. They must be relying on what Dr. Logan says is “herd immunity.” He goes on to explain, “They hope that the probability of their child catching the disease is minimized because other parents are going to immunize their children.” He adds, “When the rates of vaccinations decrease, I’ve seen the incidence of pertussis cases increase.”

Pertussis is no laughing matter. Remember the intense effort a child with whooping cough is forced to make in order to breathe. Do the research, talk to your doctor about your concerns, but in the end, make the decision! Your child is depending on you!